Capital One Cup: Victory parade for triumphant Swansea City

Thousands of Swansea City fans have braved the cold weather to welcome home their League Cup-winning heroes on an open-top bus parade.

The Swans, who are celebrating their centenary this season, beat Bradford City 5-0 in Sunday's Capital One Cup final at Wembley.

It gave them their first major trophy win and a place in Europe.

The parade started outside the Dragon Hotel in Swansea and finished at the Brangwyn Hall.

Crowds packed the pavements as the convoy headed down the Kingsway and St Helen's Road before reaching its final destination.

Along the parade route, sound of horns blasted out while renditions of the Swansea City song added to the celebratory atmosphere.

The Squires family was among the crowds waving flags and cheering on the bus.

The Squires family were among those waving flags at the parade

Mother Nicola said she was keen for her children aged 11, seven and five, to see the parade following Sunday's match.

"The atmosphere at the game was electric," she added.

"It's a great experience for the kids going to see it."

Only Women Aloud and the Phoenix Choir performed on the steps of Brunswick Methodist Church as the bus passed by on St Helen's Road.

They sang Liberty Forever, written by Edward Rhys-Harry to mark the Swans' centenary season.

As the bus wound its way along the route, waiting fans were drawn into some Liberty Stadium songs and as the team arrived Swans defender Chico Flores sprayed the waiting crowd with champagne.

Those waiting at the Brangwyn Hall were addressed by Swans chairman Huw Jenkins who was brought out on to the steps of the building.

He told the crowd: "I don't think any of us could've dreamed where we are today.

"The last 10 years have been fantastic for this football club."

When the bus arrived at the venue, manager Michael Laudrup was introduced on a temporary stage.

He told the crowd: "I want to say thank you to all of you here.

"The first time we won something like that, is tremendous. To see all these faces is great."

Club captains Garry Monk and Ashley Williams then carried the Capital One Cup onto the stage.

"It's such a great thing that we can celebrate this together," said Williams.

Monk added: "It's a bit of deja vu - another amazing day" - referring to the parade which followed Swansea's promotion to the Premier League in 2011.

"I think this tops it in terms of turnout."

Following the parade, Swansea City management, players and staff were welcomed to a civic reception inside the Guildhall.

Swansea council leader David Phillips said: "This was yet another historic day for the whole city.

"Once again the Swans have done us proud. The parade was proof - as if proof were needed - just how important the club is to the life and vitality of our city. The support showed by the fans today was just magnificent.

"I want to pay tribute to the players and coaching staff along with chairman Huw Jenkins and his management team for guiding the club so brilliantly over the past decade to help put Swansea on the world sporting map."